Tuesday, March 19, 2025
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What does it mean to be a «VC backable» Startup?
Many startups believe that the best way to get funding is through VCs. However, very few know what that means - and are aware of the alternatives. We spoke with VC investor and founder of Dart Ventures, Arijana Walcott.
OOMNIUM: What does it mean being a VC backed startup?
Arijana Walcott: A VC backed startup is a startup that is attractive to venture capital investors because of its business model, growth potential and scalability. Typically, these are companies with innovative solutions that address large markets and can grow rapidly with external capital. In addition to a strong vision, a strong founding team and a clear path to scale are critical.
OOMNIUM: Is VC funding the most desirable route?
A.W.: Not necessarily. Venture capital can be the right way to go if the goal is rapid growth and market leadership. However, VC funding comes with high expectations - in terms of scale, speed, exit strategy and control. Alternatives such as crowdfunding, bootstrapping or strategic partnerships may be more sustainable for some startups. The key is to determine which type of funding fits the company's vision and long-term goals.
«Many founders believe that VC financing is the only way to success, without being aware of the consequences and alternatives.»
OOMNIUM: What are some of the issues that need more clarification in the startup universe?
A.W.: An important issue is the realistic assessment of one's own financing strategy. Many founders believe that VC financing is the only way to success, without being aware of the consequences and alternatives. There also needs to be more transparency about the mechanisms of investor decisions and the real value that different forms of financing can bring to startups.
OOMNIUM: Can startups "grow" into VC-backed cases?
A.W.: Technically, they can - but not very often. The key factor is the amount of time it takes for a startup to go through the various stages of development. VC backed startups are typically companies that can scale quickly and achieve a significant market position in a short period of time. It is therefore important to analyze early on whether your business model has the momentum required for VC financing.
OOMNIUM: Thank's a lot for the Insights, Arijana!
Arijana Walcott is Founding Partner at DART Ventures, an early-stage VC focused on European Health and Climate Tech startups expanding to the US market. She also serves as a board member at Swiss Startup Association and OOMNIUM.